My Comment of the Week
This note (as often happens when we inform in advance about government decisions) might freeze the presidential intention to appoint Adán Chávez as Minister of Defense. But really, bringing the governor of Barinas into this military position isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Initially, it could have been Luis Reyes Reyes or General Rangel Silva himself, but the situation requires (according to Miraflores) placing Adán Chávez in the presidential race as a wild card, where he needs to toughen up to convince voters that he is the one to succeed Chávez (at least for five years), all based on the assumption that Chávez will not seek reelection.
I know my statements are often mocked in the presidential environment, as has happened before, but deep down, those who laugh know it’s a real possibility. Do I want this? No; however, long before I knew of Chávez’s illness, I suggested he should not run in the December 2012 elections, as he might face unnecessary defeat. Moreover, it’s essential to refresh the political scene, and a temporary withdrawal should lead the head of state into a space for reflection on past mistakes and the need for rectification. Meanwhile, the usual flatterers (maybe even infiltrated) predict a landslide victory for him, even claiming a triumph with just over 60%, using some rare polls to support their forecasts. What do these traders of false hopes seek? Nothing but to create a false expectation that contributes to a dangerous institutional breakdown. I have said, and I am sure, that the local Pinochet is lurking around. It’s no coincidence that Rafael Poleo, from the north, forecasts a steep cost to uproot the revolutionary process. Rafael doesn’t make moves without a plan, which is why he feeds the narrative of a dictator ready to sweep away any revolutionary elements with a fascist broom. Does Chávez not know this? I think he does. But I believe arrogance is killing him. The incendiary rhetoric may leave nothing but smoke among the rubble. A change in course is urgent. Nuances exist in every society, no matter how revolutionary, and must be considered. Undoubtedly, there have been achievements, but these are overshadowed by the clumsiness of trying to enforce uniformity. Furthermore, inefficiency cannot continue to be rewarded. Let’s ask how many of our diplomatic officials have been in their positions since failing their previous assignments before jumping to an embassy. The topic is extensive. How different it would all be if the head of the revolution admitted a collegial direction with equal conditions. It’s not revolutionary to view the country as if it were a crawling child. The slogan “With Chávez, everything; without Chávez, nothing” did considerable harm to the national subconscious. I recommend the President read (if he hasn’t already) Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. If he reflects, the character Gregor Samsa won’t feel foreign to him. For now, an unfortunate event has drawn back the curtain on an unthinkable scenario: Venezuela without Chávez.
URGENT. Discontent in the Navy has caused the emerging officers from the outgoing promotion in July to not hand over their positions (some command). The mentioned individuals show up in civilian clothes at military facilities, signing documents, managing budgets, and not supervising, all with the knowledge of the resolution that retired them (the only one confirmed was the commander general). In this sector of the military, there’s an assumption that everyone commands and no one obeys.
IMMUNODEPRESSED. Although (thanks to the secrecy granted by Cubans), the state of health of the head of state remains a true mystery, tomorrow, Saturday the 27th, Chávez is expected in Havana for his next chemotherapy session. In the meantime, the circle of those attending to Chávez is becoming smaller, with Cubans replacing Venezuelans, and his trusted nurse (the wife of the commander of the Bolivarian Air Force) being the last to be removed from his medical team. Additionally, it is not ruled out that chemotherapy cycles may be interrupted due to the possibility of a collateral complication. There’s also concern because, as a patient, Chávez is increasingly exposed, as the distances between people are not sufficient. As is known, the President even needs to wear a mask, given that his platelets and white blood cells are at very low levels. According to expert opinions, Chávez needs to be careful because he is a high-risk patient.
FILTER. A high-ranking official from the BCV reportedly acted as a messenger for Julio Montoya, revealing proof of the repatriation process of gold reserves. He is a director close to deputies Ricardo Sanguino, Mario Isea, and Elvis Amoroso, while also being fully trusted by Teodoro Petkoff.
COMEBACK. The path of Pancho. In an attempt for the return of the prodigal son, Rafael Isea is acting as an intermediary for Didalco Bolívar to come back to Venezuela. In Maracay, his meetings with people close to the former governor are frequent. Skeptics are talking about large sums of money fueling the Didalco-Ismael fallout. Previously, Bolívar was assisted in Lima by Manuel Rosales. They met together twice, once at the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Bar in the Miraflores Park hotel and another time having lunch in Astrid & Gastón (on Cantuarias Street 175) in Lima.
GOLDEN. Regarding the nationalization of gold, in El Manteco (Bolívar), in the peasant settlements of Hacha and La Piedra del Supamo, I’ve been informed that military helicopters frequently land, bringing explosives to blow up mining equipment unless miners agree to pay 30 grams of gold per team monthly. In these areas, checkpoints are “negotiated” at high prices.
Bureaucrats. The negativity of fines imposed on users for “excessive” energy consumption has a surprisingly expansive effect. The opposition does not need a good campaign to win the December 2012 elections; now, it’s not just about power outages and the many damaged appliances creating discontent among the population, which will take its toll later, but also a “brilliant” bureaucrat came up with the idea of fines.
SUSPICION. Entering through El Manteco is the Puepa herd (its former owners were the Leoni Fernández family). The vast property was acquired by a prominent national official represented through a third party. Speaking of frontmen, a high-level employee in the government has tried to negotiate a costly property in Bejuma (Carabobo) because he doesn’t feel secure about the future of the revolutionary government. The deal has not materialized because they want the owner to sign the transaction to complete the payment in Colombia.
FIREWORKS. Last Wednesday night, the firepower available to criminals in the country’s neighborhoods became evident when, following a blackout of over 7 hours, machine guns rattled in the hills surrounding Antímano. I’ve been told that in the prevailing darkness, the bullets offered a display similar to fireworks. Later, Corpoelec would explain that the blackout was due to the recklessness of those connecting to high-tension wires. What that department does not explain is that the practice of invasions significantly contributes to these situations.
MAFIAS. The problem of “lying police” continues, now frequent on highways and national roads. For example, between Carora and Maracaibo, there are more than 150 obstacles of this nature. With them come all sorts of stalls that contribute to extremely slow traffic during the day, while at night, robberies and other criminal acts multiply. Some “lying police” are placed as a private matter, while others are set up by the government, for reasons unknown. Around these concrete and asphalt barriers, the exploitation of women (mostly minors) occurs, with many being put to sell coffee and other goods, not to mention the sexual favors many of them provide without any control. Children are also used, receiving payments that don’t even reach the minimum wage. All of this takes place with the knowledge and indifference of local authorities.
VAGUADA. At Inameh, things keep getting worse. Its president runs the institute from home as if it were a family business. The character does not like controls at all. The reality is that there, without blaming the character mentioned, very strange things are happening that smell like intimidation. Recently, with an apparent witchcraft trait, one official (considered a thorn in the side for the leadership) received a model car in the color of his, with traces of voodoo practices, warning him that he would die soon. Acts of syncretism are frequent at Inameh. Recently, a worker noticed that a plant in the garden was drying up for no apparent reason, and upon inquiring, found an object tied to its stem with the names of the minister and other employees. Apparently, these issues may be linked to the administrative disorder prevailing in that department.
REPLICA. Regarding the interview we published with Andrés De Chene, I received an email from Rafael Alfonzo denying one of the interviewee’s statements: “… I have never played dominoes with him, I am very sorry that someone with his curriculum would lie blatantly as he does in that interview. Everything I have is the product of my work for more than 32 years. By the way, I haven’t been with Alfonzo Rivas since 2007.” Pleased Rafael, I must say that it is entirely the interviewee’s responsibility for his statements, of course, as long as they don’t demean others, as we publish them if they concern us.
UNCONSULTED. A year ago, MRW raised its rates unexpectedly and disproportionately. Now, this Spanish company has increased them again, violating the warnings from the agency responsible for agreeing on price adjustments.
TRUTHFULNESS. It’s remarkable that Venevisión, being the channel with the highest national audience, achieves its highest ratings with its news segments. Clearly, the public’s thirst for information is growing daily, but even so, it’s a factor worthy of study. Information versus entertainment.